Information storage apparatus and information processing apparatus using the same

ABSTRACT

In a small and thin memory module for sharing data among electronic devices such as information processing apparatuses, a write prohibit state can be visually recognized. A conductive seal is attached to a predetermined position on a support member, thereby setting the memory module in the write prohibit state. The conductive seal visually indicates the write prohibit state. When the memory module is mounted in a connector section of a card-shaped holder, connector pins are electrically connected to each other via the conductive seal. Thus, a write prohibit mechanism is realized at low cost.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to an information storageapparatus for sharing data among electronic devices such as informationprocessing devices and an information processing apparatus using theinformation storage apparatus, and more particularly to a write prohibitmechanism for protecting internal data in an external storage apparatus.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] In a conventional method of sharing data among informationprocessing devices, an attachable/detachable external storage apparatusin which data can be written is generally used. This type of externalstorage apparatus is normally provided with a write prohibit mechanismfor protecting precious internal storage data from being erroneouslyerased.

[0005] In a typical write prohibit mechanism, for example, as used in amagnetic tape or a floppy disk, the shape of a portion of a casing ofthe external storage apparatus is made changeable and the change inshape is optically or mechanically detected on the informationprocessing device side.

[0006]FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an example of the conventional writeprohibit mechanism which is employed, for example, in a 3.5 inch floppydisk.

[0007] A floppy disk 1 has, in proper places, a sliding shutter 2 fordata write/read, a bearing unit 3 for rotating a built-in magnetic disk,a label attachment section 4 on which a label indicating a title, etc.is attached, and a write protect tab 5. As is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B,the write protect tab 5 comprises a slider 5 a and an opening window 5 bwhich is closed and opened in accordance the movement of the slider 5 a.

[0008] Specifically, in the write prohibit mechanism using the writeprotect tab 5, the two shapes of the window 5 b, i.e. the open shape andclosed shape, which is determined by the movement of the slider 5 a, aredetected by means of a contact switch, etc. Thus, the write permit stateand the write prohibit state can be discriminated on the informationprocessing device side.

[0009] In another data write prohibit mechanism, an electric write pathis cut off by a microswitch, as in a memory card in which data write iselectrically effected.

[0010] In the write prohibit mechanisms, a change in physical shape ismade mechanically. Therefore, there is an advantage in that the writepermit state or write prohibit state can be recognized by the eye.

[0011] In each mechanism, however, the external storage apparatus needsto have certain dimensions and thickness.

[0012] On the other hand, there is a method in which a write prohibitstate is stored as internal data in an external storage apparatus.Advantageously, this method can be applied to any type of externalstorage apparatus, irrespective of the size and thickness thereof.

[0013] In this method, however, the write permit state or write prohibitstate cannot be recognized until the external storage apparatus ismounted in an information processing device and actually operated.

[0014] As has been described above, in the prior art, the externalstorage apparatus needs to have certain dimensions and thickness inorder that one can recognize the write prohibit state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The object of the invention is to provide a small and thininformation storage apparatus permitting one to visually recognize thewrite prohibit state thereof and making it possible to realize a writeprohibit mechanism at low cost and an information processing apparatususing this information storage apparatus.

[0016] In order to achieve the above object, according to the presentinvention, there is provided an information storage apparatuscomprising:

[0017] storage medium means in which information can be written;

[0018] a support member incorporating the storage medium means; and

[0019] a state-indicating conductive member provided on a surface of thesupporting member, indicating a state of the storage medium means inwhich writing of information to the storage medium means is prohibited.

[0020] The storage medium means comprises a storage medium deviceincluding at least one non-volatile semiconductor memory device.

[0021] The support member has a recess in which the state-indicatingconductive member is provided.

[0022] The support member is of non-conductive, and the state-indicatingconductive member is of conductive to indicate the information writeprohibit state of the storage medium means.

[0023] According to the present invention, there is further provided aninformation storage apparatus comprising:

[0024] storage medium means in which information can be written;

[0025] a support member incorporating the storage medium means; and

[0026] a state-indicating non-conductive member provided on a surface ofthe supporting member, indicating a state of the storage medium means inwhich writing of information to the storage medium means is prohibited.

[0027] The storage-medium means comprises a storage medium deviceincluding at least one non-volatile semiconductor memory device.

[0028] The support member has a recess in which the state-indicatingnon-conductive member is provided.

[0029] The support member is of conductive, and the state-indicatingnon-conductive member is of non-conductive to indicate the informationwrite prohibit state of the storage medium means.

[0030] The state-indicating non-conductive member is a seal.

[0031] According to the present invention, there is still furtherprovided an information processing apparatus comprising:

[0032] an information storage device wherein information writablestorage medium means is incorporated in a support member and astate-indicating conductive member is visibly provided, thestate-indicating conductive members indicating a state of the storagemedium means in which writing of information to the storage medium meansis prohibited; and

[0033] a processing device for receiving the information storage device,the processing device having discriminating means for detecting theconductivity of the state-indicating conductive member to discriminatethe prohibit state of writing information to the storage medium means.

[0034] The storage medium means comprises a storage medium deviceincluding at least one non-volatile semiconductor memory device.

[0035] The support member has a recess in which the state-indicatingconductive member is provided.

[0036] The state-indicating conductive member is a seal.

[0037] The discriminating means discriminates the prohibit state ofwriting information to the storage medium means by detecting theconductive state of the state-indicating conductive member.

[0038] The discriminating means discriminates the prohibit state ofwriting information to the storage medium means by bringing two or moreconnection pins into contact with the state-indicating conductive memberand detecting the conductivity of the state-indicating conductivemember.

[0039] The processing device is a processing device including a drivingmechanism for driving the information storage device.

[0040] The processing device includes a card-shaped holder detachablyattached to the processing device and including a driving mechanism fordriving the information storage device incorporated in the card-shapedholder.

[0041] According to the present invention, there is yet further providedan information processing apparatus comprising:

[0042] an information storage device wherein information writablestorage medium means is incorporated in a support member and astate-indicating non-conductive member is visibly provided, thestate-indicating non-conductive member indicating a state of the storagemedium means in which writing of information to the storage medium meansis prohibited; and

[0043] a processing device for receiving the information storage device,the processing device having discriminating means for detecting thenon-conductivity of the state-indicating non-conductive member todiscriminate the prohibit state of writing information to the storagemedium means.

[0044] The storage medium means comprises a storage medium deviceincluding at least one non-volatile semiconductor memory device.

[0045] The support member has a recess in which the state-indicatingnon-conductive member is provided.

[0046] The state-indicating non-conductive member is a seal.

[0047] The discriminating means discriminates the prohibit state ofwriting information to the storage medium means by detecting thenon-conductive state of the state-indicating non-conductive member.

[0048] The discriminating means discriminates the prohibit state ofwriting information to the storage medium means by bringing two or moreconnection pins into contact with the state-indicating non-conductivemember and detecting the non-conductivity of the state-indicatingnon-conductive member.

[0049] The processing device is a processing device including a drivingmechanism for driving the information storage device.

[0050] The processing device includes a card-shaped holder detachablyattached to the processing device and including a driving mechanism fordriving the information storage device incorporated in the card-shapedholder.

[0051] In this invention, by virtue of the above-described structures,the write prohibit state can be discriminated on the basis of the changein electrical state and can also be recognized visually, even with useof a small and thin information storage apparatus.

[0052] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be setforth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theobjects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained bymeans of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed outin the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in andconstitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently preferredembodiments of the invention and, together with the general descriptiongiven above and the detailed description of the preferred embodimentsgiven below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0054]FIG. 1A schematically shows a plan pattern of a memory moduleaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

[0055]FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IB-IB in FIG.1A;

[0056]FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the sealed surface side of asemiconductor memory package built in a memory module;

[0057]FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the terminal surface side of thememory package shown in FIG. 2A;

[0058]FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIC-IIC in FIG.2A;

[0059]FIG. 3 illustrates a case where a memory module is inserted in acard-shaped holder prepared separately from an electronic device and theholder is mounted in the electronic device;

[0060]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing thestructure of a main part of the card-shaped holder; and

[0061]FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic plan views of a floppy disk, fordescribing prior art and problems thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0062] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

[0063]FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically show the structure of a memorymodule 11 of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a plan view of the memorymodule 11, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IB-IBin FIG. 1A.

[0064] The memory module 11 is used as an external storage apparatussuch as a floppy disk. A semiconductor memory package 13 (describedlater in detail) serving as storage medium is mounted in a smallcard-shaped support member 12 formed of, e.g. plastic material.

[0065] The support member 12 has a label attachment section 14 on whichan indication label for indicating an index of data stored in thesemiconductor memory package 13, and a seal attachment section 15 onwhich a conductive seal serving as means for prohibiting inadvertentdata write in the semiconductor memory package 13.

[0066] The size of the support member 12 is, for example, 37 mm×45 mm(less than half the size specified in ISO7813) and the thickness thereofis 0.76 mm ±0.08 mm specified in ISO7813.

[0067] In the present embodiment, the size of the memory module 11 isset to be less than half the size specified in ISO7813 so that it can beused as floppy disk.

[0068] One corner of the support member 12, for example, one corner of aside to be inserted into a drive apparatus, is cut out. Thereby, reverseinsertion into the drive apparatus is prevented.

[0069] The cut-out portion serves not only as means for preventingreverse insertion but also as limiting the use of the memory module 11.For example, if the semiconductor memory package 13 operable at 5 V andthe semiconductor memory package 13 operable at 3.3 V are prepared, theformer alone may be provided with the cut-out corner portion. Thus, theinsertion of the memory package 13 operable at 3.3 V into the driveapparatus can be prevented, and the memory chip within the memory module11 can be protected against electric destruction due to a variation inpower voltage.

[0070] The label attachment section 14 has a recess with a depthcorresponding to the thickness of a label to be attached. The labelattachment section 14 extends from the upper surface to the lowersurface so as to cover one side edge of the support member 12.

[0071] The seal attachment section 15 has a circular recess with adiameter of, e.g. 10 mm. The seal attachment section 15 indicates anattachment position of a conductive seal and prevents the conductiveseal from projecting upwards from the upper surface of the supportmember 12, thereby maintaining the flatness of the surface of the memorymodule 11. Thus, when the memory module 11 is pulled out from orinserted into the drive apparatus, the seal is prevented from beingpeeled off or scratched.

[0072] The conductive seal functions as write protector for constitutinga write prohibit mechanism. The conductive seal is formed inexpensively,for example, by coating an adhesive on one surface of paper sheet andcoating a conductive material such as aluminum on the other surfacethereof. The conductive seal has a circular shape with a diameter of,e.g. 8 mm so that it can be attached within the seal attachment section15 on the support member 12.

[0073] Specifically, the conductive seal is attached on the sealattachment section 15 on the support member 12, thereby visuallyindicating that data write in the semiconductor memory package 13 isprohibited.

[0074] In addition, the write prohibit mechanism is easily achievedsince the data write prohibit state can be automatically recognized onthe basis of the conductive state effected by the conductive seal.

[0075]FIGS. 2A to 2C schematically show the structure of thesemiconductor memory package 13. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of thesealed surface side of the package 13, FIG. 2B is a perspective view ofthe terminal surface side of the package, and FIG. 2C is across-sectional view taken along line IIC-IIC in FIG. 2A.

[0076] The semiconductor memory package 13 is constituted such that a 16Mbit NAND type flash EEPROM chip 13 b functioning as storage medium ornon-volatile semiconductor memory device is mounted on a resin-basedsubstrate 13 a. Input/output terminals (not shown) of the chip 13 b areconnected to wiring on a major surface of the substrate 13 a by means ofbonding wires 13 c. The chip 13 b, as well as the bonding regions, isresin-sealed by a sealing resin 13 d by a one-side transfer mold method.

[0077] The wiring on the major surface of the resin-based substrate 13 ais exposed to the non-sealed side (bottom side) of the substrate 13 avia through-holes and led out as flat external connection terminals 13e.

[0078] In the present embodiment, the semiconductor memory package 13has a size of 16.62 mm×27.59 mm on the terminal surface side, which isless than half the area of the support member 12 in its longitudinaldirection.

[0079] The memory package 13 is attached to the support member 12 suchthat the supper surfaces of the external connection terminals 13 e aresubstantially flush with the surface of the support member 12 on whichthe seal attachment section 15, etc. are formed.

[0080] When the memory module 11 having the above structure is used asexternal storage apparatus such as a floppy disk, a drive apparatus suchas a floppy disk drive is needed.

[0081]FIG. 3 illustrates a case where the memory module 11 is mounted ina mounting unit of an electronic device such as an informationprocessing device, by using a drive apparatus prepared separately fromthe electronic device.

[0082] For example, when the memory module 11 is used as floppy disk,the memory module 11 is first inserted into a card-shaped holder 21, andthe card-shaped holder 21 is then mounted in the mounting unit of theelectronic device.

[0083] The card holder 21 has a size specified, for example, in PCMCIA(e.g. type 11), has an input/output interface and incorporates a memorycontroller (not shown) functioning as drive apparatus for writing andreading data.

[0084]FIG. 4 schematically shows the structure of a main part of thecard-shaped holder 21.

[0085] Specifically, the holder 21 has a connector unit 22. A connectorpin holder section 23 is provided inside the connector unit 22 in whichthe memory module 11 is mounted. The connector pin holder section 23 isprovided with a plurality of connector pins 24 to be put in contact withthe external connection terminals 13e of the semiconductor memorypackage 13, and connector pins 25 to be put in contact with the sealattachment section on the support member 12.

[0086] The connector pins 24 are connected to the memory controllerincorporated in the card-shaped holder 21.

[0087] Although FIG. 4 shows only one connector pin 25, the number ofconnector pins 25 is at least two and the two connector pins 25 arearranged at a distance of 1 mm or more from each other. The connectorpins 25 are connected to a discriminating circuit (not shown) providedwithin the electronic device or card-shaped holder 21. Thediscriminating circuit discriminates the data write permit state and thedata write prohibit state on the basis of the conductive state andnon-conductive state between the connector pins 25.

[0088] For example, when the conductive seal 16 is not attached to thememory module 11, the connector pins 25 are put in contact with anon-conductive part (seal attachment section 15) on the support member12. In this case, since the support member 12 has no electricalconductivity, electrical conduction between the connector pins 25 is noteffected. Thus, the write permit state is discriminated by thediscriminating circuit.

[0089] On the other hand, when the conductive seal 16 is attached to thememory module 11, the connector pins 25 are put in contact with theconductive seal 16. Since the conductive seal 16 is electricallyconductive, electrical conduction between the connector pins 25 iseffected by the conductive seal 16. Thus, the write prohibit state isdiscriminated by the discriminating circuit.

[0090] As has been described above, the memory module 11 is set in thewrite prohibit state by attaching the conductive seal 16 to the sealattachment section 15 on the support member 12. If the conductive seal16 is attached, the user can visually recognize the write prohibit stateof the memory module 11. In addition, if the memory module 11 is mountedin the card-shaped holder 21, electrical conduction is effected betweenthe connector pins 25 and the memory controller can also recognize thewrite prohibit state of the module 11.

[0091] According to the present embodiment, the write prohibit state canbe discriminated on the basis of the change in electrical state, andalso the write prohibit state can be visually recognized.

[0092] Specifically, when the memory module is set in the write prohibitstate, the conductive seal is attached to a predetermined position.Thereby, the write prohibit state is visually indicated and electricallydetected. According to this embodiment, therefore, the write prohibitstate can fully be recognized and detected with use of a small, thinmemory module, as compared to a conventional large, thick memory modulein which the write prohibit state is set by making use of the change inshape thereof. In other words, even if the memory module is small andthin, the write prohibit state can be visually recognized andelectrically detected.

[0093] In the present method in which the write prohibit state is set byattaching the conductive seal, the memory module can easily be restoredto the write permit state from the write prohibit state by removing theconductive seal. Therefore, as compared to a conventional method inwhich a hole is formed in the module, the memory module can be moreeasily restored from the write prohibit state to the write permit stateand the strength of the memory module is not degraded.

[0094] In addition, according to the present method in which the datawrite prohibit state is discriminated on the basis of thepresence/absence of the conductive seal, the write prohibit mechanism isrealized at lower cost, than in the conventional method in which thewrite prohibit state is set by making use of the change in shape.

[0095] The above embodiment is directed to a case where the writeprohibit state is set by attaching the conductive seal to thenon-conductive memory module. The present invention, however, isapplicable to a case where the write permit state is set by attaching aconductive seal.

[0096] In the present method, the conductive state obtained by attachingthe conductive seal can be associated with either the write prohibitstate or the write permit state, depending on whether the conductivestate effected between the connector pins 25 by the attachment of theconductive seal is associated with the write prohibit state or with thewrite permit state.

[0097] Suppose that the attachment of the conductive seal is associatedwith the write prohibit state. In this case, if defective contact occursbetween the conductive seal and the connector pins due to some cause,the write permit state is erroneously recognized and necessary datawould be erased.

[0098] On the other hand, if the attachment of the conductive seal isassociated with the write permit state, the seal needs to be attachedprior to the write operation. The frequency of actual use of the memorymodule in the write permit state is much higher than that in the writeprohibit state. Consequently, the seal is worn earlier and thereliability of the detection of the conductive state must be ensured tocompensate the earlier wear of the seal.

[0099] In the present embodiment, in order to ensure the reliability ofthe detection of the conductive state, the conductive state effected bythe attachment of the conductive seal is associated with the writeprohibit state in which the module is used much less frequently.However, the user can properly decide, depending on the purpose of use,etc., whether the conductive state is associated with the write prohibitstate or the write permit state.

[0100] If an electrically conductive memory module is used, anelectrically non-conductive seal may be attached to set the writeprohibit state or write permit state.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the memory module is inserted in thecard-shaped holder and the card-shaped holder containing the module ismounted in the electronic device. However, the memory module may bedirectly mounted in the mounting unit of the electronic device havingthe drive apparatus.

[0102] The present invention is applicable not only to the memory modulebut also to various storage mediums such as floppy disks or magnetictapes.

[0103] The conductive or non-conductive seal may be replaced with aconductive or non-conductive coating material such as ink. In this case,too, the same advantage as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0104] Other modifications can be made without departing from the spiritof the present invention.

[0105] As has been described above in detail, according to the presentinvention, there is provided a small and thin information storageapparatus permitting one to visually recognize the write prohibit statethereof and making it possible to realize a write prohibit mechanism atlow cost and an information processing apparatus using this informationstorage apparatus.

[0106] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broaderaspects is not limited to the specific details, and representativedevices shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modificationsmay be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the generalinventive concept as defined by the appended claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information storage apparatus comprising:storage medium means in which information can be written; a supportmember incorporating said storage medium means; and a state-indicatingconductive member provided on a surface of the supporting member,indicating a state of said storage medium means in which writing ofinformation to the storage medium means is prohibited.
 2. Theinformation storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storagemedium means comprises a storage medium device including at least onenon-volatile semiconductor memory device.
 3. The information storageapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support member has a recessin which said state-indicating conductive member is provided.
 4. Theinformation storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supportmember is of non-conductive, and said state-indicating conductive memberis of conductive to indicate the information write prohibit state of thestorage medium means.
 5. The information storage apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said state-indicating conductive member is a seal; 6.The information storage apparatus according to claim 3, wherein saidstate-indicating conductive member is a seal.
 7. The information storageapparatus according to claim 4, wherein said state-indicating conductivemember is a seal.
 8. An information storage apparatus comprising:storage medium means in which information can be written; a supportmember incorporating said storage medium means; and a state-indicatingnon-conductive member provided on a surface of the supporting member,indicating a state of said storage medium means in which writing ofinformation to the storage medium means is prohibited.
 9. Theinformation storage apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said storagemedium means comprises a storage medium device including at least onenonvolatile semiconductor memory device.
 10. The information storageapparatus according to claim 8, wherein said support member has a recessin which said state-indicating non-conductive member is provided. 11.The information storage apparatus according to claim 8, wherein whensaid support member is of conductive, and said state-indicatingnon-conductive member is of non-conductive to indicate the informationwrite prohibit state of the storage medium means.
 12. The informationstorage apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said state-indicatingnon-conductive member is a seal.
 13. The information storage apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein said state-indicating non-conductivemember is a seal.
 14. The information storage apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein said state-indicating non-conductive member is a seal.15. An information processing apparatus comprising: an informationstorage device wherein information writable storage medium means isincorporated in a support member and a state-indicating conductivemember is visibly provided, the state-indicating conductive memberindicating a state of the storage medium means in which writing ofinformation to the storage medium means is prohibited; and a processingdevice for receiving said information storage device, the processingdevice having discriminating means for detecting the conductivity ofsaid state-indicating conductive member to discriminate the prohibitstate of writing information to the storage medium means.
 16. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein saidstorage medium means comprises a storage medium device including atleast one non-volatile semiconductor memory device.
 17. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said support memberhas a recess in which said state-indicating conductive member isprovided.
 18. The information processing apparatus according to claim15, wherein said state-indicating conductive member is a seal.
 19. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein saidstate-indicating conductive member is a seal.
 20. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said discriminatingmeans discriminates the prohibit state of writing information to thestorage medium means by detecting the conductive state of saidstate-indicating conductive member.
 21. The information processingapparatus according to claim 15, wherein said discriminating meansdiscriminates the prohibit state of writing information to the storagemedium means by bringing two or more connection pins into contact withsaid state-indicating conductive member and detecting the conductivityof the state-indicating conductive member.
 22. The,informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said processingdevice is a processing device including a driving mechanism for drivingsaid information storage device.
 23. The information processingapparatus according to claim 15, wherein said processing device includesa card-shaped holder detachably attached to the processing device andincluding a driving mechanism for driving the information storage deviceincorporated in the card-shaped holder.
 24. An information processingapparatus comprising: an information storage device wherein informationwritable storage medium means is incorporated in a support member and astate-indicating non-conductive member is visibly provided, thestate-indicating non-conductive member indicating a state of the storagemedium means in which writing of information to the storage medium meansis prohibited; and a processing device for receiving said informationstorage device, the processing device having discriminating means fordetecting the non-conductivity of said state-indicating non-conductivemember to discriminate the prohibit state of writing information to thestorage medium means.
 25. The information processing apparatus accordingto claim 24, wherein said storage medium means comprises a storagemedium device including at least one non-volatile semiconductor memorydevice.
 26. The information processing apparatus according to claim 24,wherein said support member has a recess in which said state-indicatingnon-conductive member is provided.
 27. The information processingapparatus according to claim 24, wherein said state-indicatingnonconductive member is a seal.
 28. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 26, wherein said state-indicating non-conductivemember is a seal.
 29. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 24, wherein said discriminating means discriminates the prohibitstate of writing information to the storage medium means by detectingthe non-conductive state of said state-indicating non-conductive member.30. The information processing apparatus according to claim 24, whereinsaid discriminating means discriminates the prohibit sate of writinginformation to the storage medium means by bringing two or moreconnection pins into contact with said state-indicating non-conductivemember and detecting the non-conductivity of the state-indicatingnon-conductive member.
 31. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 24, wherein said processing device is a processingdevice including a driving mechanism for driving said informationstorage device.
 32. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 24, wherein said processing device includes a card-shaped holderdetachably attached to the processing device and including a drivingmechanism for driving the information storage device incorporated in thecard-shaped holder.